LAUSR

The effect of the ageing population on cancer management is well established with its significant effect on all aspects of medical care. In their study, Layfield et al. 1 reviewed their experience of changes in patient treatment determined by the multidisciplinary team in colorectal cancer over a 14-year interval. There were several changes during this time, including colonoscopic screening for colorectal cancer, and the effect of such changes is borne out in this study. It is apparent that with the evolution of multidisciplinary working, the approach to patients presenting with colorectal cancer has changed, with appropriate assessment and recommendation for different therapeutic options. Although, as the authors point out, surgery has been the mainstay, changes in better understanding of colorectal cancer biology have tailored oncological treatments. The study clearly shows how changes in different interventions have resulted in changes in outcome, which has occurred across all ages. In with close interrelationship between effect of the cancer and co-morbidity, the the